Obituary of Ernestine K. Gielskie

Tina Gielskie, 78, of Hamden, passed away on Friday, April 21, 2017, after a long illness. Tina was born Ernestine Ann Kane on June 11, 1938, to Thomas and Beatrice (Frisbee) Kane of Northampton, MA. The oldest of three daughters, as a child she was called "Teeny" by her family. The nickname became Tina when she went to primary school. Growing up she enjoyed outdoor activities such as fishing, and helping out on her grandparents' farm. She was an avid knitter, and an excellent artist, winning prizes for both in school and through 4-H. She continued to knit for family and friends all through her life. She also loved to sing, and performed in both her school and church choirs. She excelled in mathematics in school. Tina graduated from Westfield High School in 1956, and shortly afterward went to work as a bookkeeper for Battistoni Lumber Company in Southwick, MA. She worked in bookkeeping for several companies throughout her life. Tina moved to northern New York in the 1960s and helped operate a small farm in Boonville before meeting her beloved husband David Gielskie and moving to DeLancey. David and Tina married on December 30, 1973 at the DeLancey United Presbyterian Church. They loved to take long road trips together, including a coast-to-coast drive across Canada. Tina worked with David on the Gielskie family farm, and was the primary caretaker of her brother-in-law Frank during the last years of his life. Tina was a much-loved part of the Gielskie family, and a precious mother to her son Channing and daughter Colleen. She was a great friend to her brothers- and sisters-in-law, and dear aunt to three generations of nieces and nephews. In 1985, Tina became a bookkeeper for Delaware Opportunities in Delhi, where she worked until her retirement in 2003. After retiring, she and David continued to travel together, especially enjoying their trips to Maine. Tina loved to cook for family, friends, and neighbors, and no one was ever turned away from her table. Her baked goods were famous: at Christmas she would make gingerbread men for each child in the family, and her pies were in great demand. She also enjoyed keeping a vegetable garden, canning, and making preserves. Tina is survived by her husband of 43 years, David Gielskie of Hamden; her son, Channing Gielskie of Hamden; her daughter, Colleen Gielskie of New Orleans, LA; and two sisters, Claudia Kane of Southampton, MA and Ruth Stanton of Chester, VT. Friends and relatives are invited to call from 5-8PM on Friday, April 28, 2017 at the MacArthur Funeral Home, 131 Main Street, Delhi. Graveside services will be held at 11AM on Saturday, April 29 at Hamden Cemetery, Hamden, NY The family would like to thank Catskill Area Hospice for their support. Memorial donations may be made in Tina's name to Catskill Area Hospice, or the Pulmonary Hypertension Association. Please visit www.macarthurfh.com to share a condolence with the Gielskie Family.